Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada: Commitment to COPE Standards

Upholding the Highest Ethical Standards in Scholarly Publishing

Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada is firmly committed to fostering academic integrity, transparency, and ethical excellence in all aspects of scholarly publishing. As part of this commitment, we fully align our editorial and publishing practices with the internationally recognized standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

What is COPE?

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is a global, non-profit organization that provides editors, publishers, and institutions with guidance and support to ensure integrity in scholarly publishing. COPE’s framework is built on the principles of accountability, transparency, fairness, and academic rigor, with a focus on preventing and managing publication misconduct.

Adherence to COPE’s Core Practices

Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada strictly adheres to the COPE Core Practices, which guide our ethical policies and editorial workflows. These practices include:

• Editorial Independence and Integrity
  We ensure that all editorial decisions are made impartially and free from commercial or political influence.
• Transparent and Rigorous Peer Review
  Our peer review process is conducted in a structured, objective, and constructive manner, following best practices recommended by COPE’s Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
• Ethical Handling of Research Misconduct
  Cases involving plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, or other ethical breaches are addressed confidentially and in accordance with COPE’s Flowcharts for Investigating Misconduct.
• Data Integrity and Transparency
  We promote full disclosure of data, methodologies, and conflicts of interest in line with the TOP Guidelines (Transparency and Openness Promotion).
• Authorship and Contributor Acknowledgement
  We require that authorship be limited to those who have made significant scholarly contributions and that all contributors are appropriately acknowledged, following the ICMJE Authorship Criteria.

Ethical Responsibilities of Stakeholders

For Authors

• Submit original work that is free of plagiarism and redundant publication
• Provide accurate data, appropriate citations, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest
• Ensure ethical treatment of human or animal subjects, with documented Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when applicable

For Reviewers

• Maintain objectivity, confidentiality, and integrity during manuscript assessment
• Refrain from using privileged information for personal gain
• Declare any conflicts of interest that may compromise impartiality

For Editors

• Ensure fair and transparent editorial decisions based on scholarly merit
• Protect the confidentiality and rights of authors and reviewers
• Facilitate corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern where necessary, following COPE Retraction Guidelines

Compliance Measures and Editorial Oversight

To uphold our commitment to COPE standards, we implement the following measures:

• Editorial Training
  Our editorial board undergoes regular training on ethical publishing practices in alignment with COPE guidance.
• Public Ethics Policies
  Our Publication Ethics Policy clearly outlines expectations and procedures for addressing ethical issues.
• Dispute Resolution Framework
  We follow COPE's recommended procedures for the resolution of disputes involving authorship, peer review, or ethical misconduct.
• Post-Publication Ethics Oversight
  In accordance with COPE’s Guidelines for Retractions, we maintain mechanisms for handling post-publication concerns such as corrections or retractions.

Why COPE Compliance Matters

Adherence to COPE standards ensures the credibility, reliability, and global acceptance of research published through Consortium Publisher – ICDTD Inc., Canada. It:

• Builds trust with authors, reviewers, and readers
• Safeguards the scientific record
• Encourages ethical conduct in global academic communities
• Enhances the reputation and impact of published work

Contact Us

For inquiries regarding our publication ethics or COPE compliance procedures, please contact:

Research Ethics Office
office@consortiumpublisher.ca
www.consortiumpublisher.com